Sharing media content assets between users of a web-based service

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a request for access to a media content asset from a first user of a web-based service, the request specifying a second user that has provided access to the media content asset; retrieving, from a user database, a user entry describing attributes associated with the second user; determining whether the user entry includes digital rights metadata for determining whether the second user is licensed to share at least a portion of the media content asset; and selectively providing the first user with access to at least the portion of the media content asset based on determining from the digital rights metadata that the media content asset is licensed to the second user, and determining that the first user is authorized by the second user to access the media content asset.

This application is a continuation of commonly-assigned, copendingapplication Ser. No. 12/273,321, filed Nov. 18, 2008.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to distribution of mediacontent assets (e.g., addressable video streams, addressable audiostreams, pictures, photographs, etc.) via a network such as theInternet.

BACKGROUND

Users of networks such as wired or wireless telecommunications networks(e.g., cell phone carriers) or data networks such as the Internet oftenuse such networks to share media content assets among each other. A usercan a share media content asset with another individual either bystoring a copy of the media content asset on a computer-readabletangible storage medium (e.g., a compact disc, a memory card, etc.) andsharing the tangible storage medium with the other individual, byforwarding a copy of the media content asset via the network to theother user using a computer-executable network service client (e.g.,file transfer protocol (FTP), instant messaging client, an e-mailclient, peer to peer file sharing), or forwarding a reference (e.g., auniform resource identifier) to a destination reachable via the datanetwork that provides the media content asset (e.g., a uniform resourcelocator (URL) link to a YouTube video). A user also can establish an FTPserver on his or her computer at the user premises, using for examplethe commercially-available “Serv-U” FTP server available on the WorldWide Web at the website address “www.serv-u.com”. Such sharing of mediacontent assets by users, however, can create copyright concerns by theauthors and owners of the media content assets.

Users of networks also can purchase media content assets such as videosfrom online retailers, for example Amazon (available at the websiteaddress “www.amazon.com”) or Total Video (available at the websiteaddress “www.totalvid.com”), or rent videos from online retailers suchas Netflix (available at the website address “www.netflix.com”), where auser having purchased the media content asset from the online retailer,or obtained a subscriber rental agreement from the online retailer, candownload via the Internet a copy of the media content asset, for exampleusing a streaming media protocol.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is made to the attached drawings, wherein elements having thesame reference numeral designations represent like elements throughoutand wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system having an apparatus (e.g., a webserver device) configured for selectively providing a first user withaccess to a media content asset that is licensed to a second user,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example user entry from the user database of FIG.1.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C summarize an example method by the web serverdevice of FIG. 1 of selectively providing a first user with access to amedia content asset licensed to the second user, according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example data structure (e.g., a license token)specifying licensing attributes describing authorization enabling a userto share a media content asset with another user, according to anexample embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS Overview

In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a request for access toa media content asset from a first user of a web-based service, therequest received via a wide area network by an apparatus providing theweb-based service, the request specifying a second user identified as auser of the web-based service and that has provided access to the mediacontent asset; retrieving, by the apparatus from a user database, a userentry describing attributes associated with the second user; determiningby the apparatus whether the user entry includes digital rights metadataenabling the apparatus to determine whether the second user is licensedto share at least a portion of the media content asset; and selectivelyproviding the first user with access to at least the portion of themedia content asset based on the apparatus determining from the digitalrights metadata that the media content asset is licensed to the seconduser, and determining that the first user is authorized by the seconduser to access the media content asset.

In another embodiment, an apparatus comprises a network interfacecircuit and a processor circuit. The network interface circuit isconfigured for receiving, from a user device via a wide area network, arequest for access to a media content asset from a first user of aweb-based service provided by the apparatus. The request specifies asecond user identified as a user of the web-based service and that hasprovided access to the media content asset. The processor circuit isconfigured for retrieving, from a user database, a user entry describingattributes associated with the second user. The processor circuitfurther is configured for determining whether the user entry includesdigital rights metadata enabling the processor circuit to determinewhether the second user is licensed to share at least a portion of themedia content asset. The processor circuit further is configured forselectively providing the first user with access to at least the portionof the media content asset, based on the processor circuit determiningfrom the digital rights metadata that the media content asset islicensed to the second user, and determining that the first user isauthorized by the second user to access the media content asset.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Particular embodiments enable users of a web-based service to sharemedia content assets, based on the web-based service managing thedigital rights metadata associated with the media content assets. Theapparatus executing the web-based service (e.g., a web server device)can be configured for storing, for each user of the web-based service, acorresponding user entry that describes attributes associated with theuser interacting with the web-based service. The user entry can includedigital rights metadata that identifies whether the user is licensed toaccess a media content asset, as well as whether the user is licensed toshare the media content asset with another user: the digital rightsmetadata also can identify the extent to which the user is licensed toshare the media content asset (e.g., whether any restrictions areimposed by a licensing authority as to the extent that the media contentasset may be accessed by the user or shared by the user). The user entryfor a first user also can specify whether a second user is authorized toaccess a media content asset licensed to the first user; hence, theapparatus enables different users of the web-based service (e.g., asocial networking website) to share media content assets based on thedigital rights metadata stored within the user entries.

The apparatus also can selectively provide access to a media contentasset based on detecting that a requesting user has possession of a datastructure (e.g., a license token) authorizing access to the mediacontent asset, or possession of a reference (e.g., a license URL) to alicensing authority (e.g., a content provider) that enables theapparatus to verify that the requesting user is authorized to share oraccess the media content asset. The data structure or referenceauthorizing sharing or accessing of the media content asset can beobtained by the apparatus either from the user requesting access, theuser offering access to the requesting user, or from a content providerthat either validates an existing license or notifies the apparatus of anew license that has been purchased.

Hence, the apparatus executing the web-based service enables users tomanage all of their media content assets (e.g., digital audio, digitalvideo, digital images, etc.) via their web-based service, eliminatingthe necessity of a user possessing a mass storage device for localstorage of media content assets at the user premises. Moreover, theapparatus executing the web-based service enables users to share theirmedia content assets with other users, in a manner that is controllableby the licensed users and the content provider having licensingauthority over the media content, ensuring integrity of copyrightprotection.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example network 10 having anapparatus (e.g., a web server device) 12 configured for executing aweb-based service enabling sharing of media content assets between usersof the web-based service, according to an example embodiment. The webserver device (i.e., web server machine or web server apparatus) 12includes a processor circuit 26, a network interface circuit 28, and amemory circuit 30. The processor circuit 26 can be configured forexecuting all aspects of the web-based service (e.g., a socialnetworking website), or can be configured for executing the sharing ofthe media content assets as part of the web-based service in amulti-server system, where multiple server devices provide distributedprocessing for different aspects of the web-based service.

The network interface circuit 28 of the web server device 12 isconfigured for receiving a request 14 from a first user 16 a of a userdevice 18 a, where the request 14 is received by the network interfacecircuit 28 from the user device 18 a via an Internet Protocol (IP) basedwide area network 20, for example the Internet. Assuming the request 14from the user 16 a is for access to a media content asset 22 (e.g., 22 cof FIG. 2) that is offered for sharing by another user 16 b, theprocessor circuit 26 of the web server device 12 can determine whetherthe user 16 b is licensed to share at least a portion of the requestedmedia content asset (e.g., 22 c), and whether the user 16 a isauthorized by the user 16 b to access the requested media content asset.

In particular, each user 16 of the web-based service executed by the webserver device 12 has a corresponding user entry 24 stored by theprocessor circuit 26 of the web server device 12 as a data structure ina user database 32 upon registration by the user (e.g., 16 b) with theweb-based service. FIG. 2 illustrates an example user entry 24 for theuser 16 b (“User 2”), according to an example embodiment. The user entry24 describes attributes associated with the user 16 b, for example username, user address, billing credit card information, user alias, userpassword, a buddy list identifying preferred users, etc.

The user entry 24 for the given user 16 b also includes a “contentvault” 38 that includes identifiers 40 that identify media contentassets 22 that have been consumed (e.g., viewed or heard) by the user 16b. The content vault 38 also includes digital rights metadata 34 thatenables the processor circuit 26 to determine whether the user 16 b isauthorized to access identified media content assets 22, and/or whetherthe user 16 b is authorized to share an identified media content asset22 with another user. The processor circuit 26 can add to thecorresponding user entry 24 digital rights metadata 34, received eitherfrom the corresponding user (e.g., 16 b) or a content provider 36 havinglicensing authority over the corresponding media content asset. Thedigital rights metadata 34 stored in the user entry 24 enables theprocessor circuit 26 to determine whether the corresponding user islicensed to access the identified media content asset, and/or whetherthe corresponding user is authorized to share the media content assetwith another user; the digital rights metadata 34 also can identify theother users that have been granted access to the media content asset.The digital rights metadata 34 can include a list 42 of identifiers 44for media content assets 22 for which the user 16 b is licensed toaccess and licensed to share with other users. The digital rightsmetadata 34 also can include identifiers 46 of other users that areauthorized to access at least identified portions of the media contentassets, for example either authorized for restricted access 46 a orunrestricted access 46 b.

The user entry 24 for the given user 16 b also can include metadataidentifying referral credits 48 that are available for purchasingadditional licenses for consuming or sharing media content assets. Thereferral credits 48 can be incremented by the processor circuit 26, forexample based on the content provider server 36 issuing a referralcredit for content purchased by another user (described below withrespect to FIG. 3C), or based on the user 16 b completing a prescribedtask within the web-based service, for example winning a contest,submitting a number of comments rated favorably by other users, etc.

Any of the disclosed circuits of the web server device 12 (including theprocessor circuit 26, the network interface circuit 28, the memorycircuit 30, and their associated components) can be implemented inmultiple forms. Example implementations of the disclosed circuitsinclude hardware logic that is implemented in a logic array such as aprogrammable logic array (PLA), a field programmable gate array (FPGA),or by mask programming of integrated circuits such as anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Any of these circuitsalso can be implemented using a software-based executable resource thatis executed by a corresponding internal processor circuit such as amicroprocessor circuit (not shown), where execution of executable codestored in an internal memory circuit (e.g., within the memory circuit30) causes the processor circuit to store application state variables inprocessor memory, creating an executable application resource (e.g., anapplication instance) that performs the operations of the circuit asdescribed herein. Hence, use of the term “circuit” in this specificationrefers to both a hardware-based circuit that includes logic forperforming the described operations, or a software-based circuit thatincludes a reserved portion of processor memory for storage ofapplication state data and application variables that are modified byexecution of the executable code by a processor circuit. The memorycircuit 30 can be implemented, for example, using a non-volatile memorysuch as a programmable read only memory (PROM) or an EPROM, and/or avolatile memory such as a DRAM, etc.

Further, any reference to “outputting a message” or “outputting apacket” (or the like) can be implemented based on creating themessage/packet in the form of a data structure and storing that datastructure in a tangible memory medium in the disclosed apparatus (e.g.,in a transmit buffer). Any reference to “outputting a message” or“outputting a packet” (or the like) also can include electricallytransmitting (e.g., via wired electric current or wireless electricfield, as appropriate) the message/packet stored in the tangible memorymedium to another network node via a communications medium (e.g., awired or wireless link, as appropriate) (optical transmission also canbe used, as appropriate). Similarly, any reference to “receiving amessage” or “receiving a packet” (or the like) can be implemented basedon the disclosed apparatus detecting the electrical (or optical)transmission of the message/packet on the communications medium, andstoring the detected transmission as a data structure in a tangiblememory medium in the disclosed apparatus (e.g., in a receive buffer).Also note that the memory circuit 30 can be implemented dynamically bythe processor circuit 26, for example based on memory address assignmentand partitioning executed by the processor circuit 26.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C summarize an example method by the web serverdevice of FIG. 1 of selectively providing a first user with access to amedia content asset licensed to the second user, according to an exampleembodiment. The steps described in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C can beimplemented as executable code stored on a computer readable storagemedium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, ROM, EEPROM, nonvolatile RAM,CD-ROM, etc.) that are completed based on execution of the code by aprocessor circuit; the steps described herein also can be implemented asexecutable logic that is encoded in one or more tangible media forexecution (e.g., programmable logic arrays or devices, fieldprogrammable gate arrays, programmable array logic, application specificintegrated circuits, etc.).

FIG. 3A illustrates creation of a new user account by the processorcircuit 26 based on creating a user entry 24. The network interfacecircuit 28 of the web server device 12 receives in step 50 a requestfrom the user (“User 2”) 16 b, received for example via thecorresponding user device 18 b in the wide area network 20, for creationof a new user account for the web based service executed by the webserver device 12. In response to the network interface circuit 28receiving the request in step 50, the processor circuit 26 creates instep 52 a new user entry 24 for the user 16 b in the user database 32.As illustrated in FIG. 1, the user database 32 is reachable locally bythe web server device 12, for example via a new direct link between thenetwork interface circuit 28 and the user database 32 or local areanetwork providing link layer connectivity between the web server device12 and the user database 32. Alternately, the user database 32 can bereachable by the network interface circuit 28 via the wide area network20. Hence, the processor circuit 26 creates in step 52 the user entry 24illustrated in FIG. 2, which a first contains user subscriptioninformation such as name, address, credit card information, user alias,password, and/or buddy list.

Following registration by the user 16 b resulting in creation of thecorresponding user entry 24 by the processor circuit 26, the networkinterface circuit 28 can be configured for receiving in step 54 at leasta portion of the digital rights metadata (DRMD) 34 from the user 16 bvia the user device 18 b in the wide area network 20. The digital rightsmetadata 34 can be received based on the processor circuit 26 providingto the user device 18 b a web-based interface that enables the user 16 bto manually supply to the web server device 12 the digital rightsmetadata using a hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) post. Alternately,the digital rights metadata 34 can be received from the user device 18 bas an extensible markup language (XML) tagged document that describesthe digital rights metadata 34.

The network interface circuit 28 also can be configured for receiving amessage specifying at least a portion of the digital rights metadata 34from the content provider 36, identifying the media content assets thathave been purchased by the user 16 b. The content provider 36 can supplythe message specifying the relevant portion of the digital rightsmetadata 34 in response to a request initiated by the user 16 b (e.g.,transfer licensing information to the web service executed by web serverdevice 12), or in response to a query initiated by the processor circuit26 in response to the registration by the user in step 50 and 52. Theprocessor circuit 26 is configured for storing in step 57 the digitalrights metadata 34, received from either the user device 18 b or thecontent provider server 36, into the user entry 24.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the digital rights metadata 34 can include adata structure (e.g., a license token) 56, and/or a reference (e.g., alicense URL) 58 that enables the processor circuit 26 to determinewhether the user 16 b is licensed to access the corresponding mediacontent asset 22, and/or whether the user 16 b is licensed to share themedia content asset with another user (e.g., 16 a).

FIG. 4 illustrates an example license token 56 stored in the user entry24 for the media content asset 22 c. The license token 56 can be issuedby the content provider 36 that has licensing authority over thecorresponding media content asset (e.g., 22 a or 22 c). Variouslicensing arrangements can be offered by the licensing authority.Example sharing of the media content asset 22 c can involve thelicensing authority (“XYZ”) granting to the user (User 2) 16 b authorityto grant a sublicense to one or more other users (“guests” or“buddies”). Hence, the license token 56 also can be issued by anotheruser that has authority to share the media content asset 22 c with oneor more individuals. The example sharing also can include granting theuser (User 2) 16 b authority to offer a multiple-generation sublicense(e.g., from User 2 to User 3; User 3 grants to User 4). Hence, thelicense token 56 can serve as a “guest pass”, a “limited duration pass”,etc., enabling the user 16 b to grant a “guest pass” to one or moreother users for access to a media content asset as desired by the user16 b and according to the authorization granted by the licensingauthority. As described with respect to FIG. 2, a user also can begranted access to a media content asset owned by the user 16 b based onhaving their corresponding user identifier 46 specified within thedigital rights metadata 34. Hence, the “guest pass” to a user (e.g.,“User 1”) can be implemented by adding the corresponding user identifier46 to the digital rights metadata 34 for a specific media content asset(see, e.g., invited guest “tommyg” for asset V1 22 a), genericrestricted (content summary) access 46 a or generic unrestricted access46 b, and/or by sending the “guest pass” in the form of a license token45 to the user (e.g., “User 1”).

The license token 56 includes an identifier identifying the licensedmedia content asset 22 c, a secure and unique token identifier 60, alicensing authority identifier 62 identifying the licensing authority36, user license access attributes 64, and user sharing licenseattributes 66. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the user license accessattributes 64 specify the scope of the license granted to the user 16 bfor the identified media content asset 22 c, based on the purchaseoption purchased by the user 16 b from the authorized licensor 36 (e.g.,limited access limited quality, unlimited access, full quality, etc.).The user sharing license attributes 66 specify the scope of the licensegranted to the user 16 b regarding sharing the identified media contentasset 22 c. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the user sharing licenseattributes 66 can specify various limits or restrictions on sharing themedia content asset 22 c imposed by the licensing authority 36,including a restriction 68 that limits access by one or more users for alimited time interval, a restriction 70 for accessing only a selectedportions of the media content asset 22 c, a restriction 72 for accessingonly a summary presentation (e.g., and a movie trailer) of the mediacontent asset 22 c, a restriction 74 for accessing the shared mediacontent asset 22 c at a reduced quality (e.g., a small picture size)instead of a full quality (e.g., full-screen or high definition (HD)quality), and/or a restriction 76 limiting the number of times that themedia content asset 22 c can be shared with one or more users.

Hence, the license token 56 stored in the user entry 24 as part of thedigital rights metadata 34 enables the processor circuit 26 to preciselyidentify the scope of the license granted to the second user withrespect to sharing the corresponding media content asset 22.

The digital rights metadata 34 also can include a reference 58 to thecontent provider 36, for example a URL, that enables the processorcircuit 26 to query the content provider server 36 whether the user 16 bis authorized to share the identified media content asset 22 b.

FIG. 3B illustrates the web server device 12 selectively providing thefirst user 16 a with access to at least a portion of a media contentasset 22 c that is licensed to the second user 16 b, according to anexample embodiment. The network interface circuit 28 of the web serverdevice 12 receives in step 80 the request 14 from the user 16 a via thewide area network 20. The request 14 specifies that the first user 16 arequests access to the media content asset (“V3”) 22 c from the contentvault 38 of the second user 16 b. Hence, the processor circuit 26determines that the request specifies the second user 16 b as a user ofthe web-based service and that has provided access to the media contentasset 22 c identified in the request 14.

The processor circuit 26 retrieves in step 82 the corresponding userentry 24 for the user 16 b from the user database 32. As described abovewith respect to FIG. 2, the user entry 24 describes the attributesassociated with the second user 16 b, including digital rights metadata34 that enables the processor circuit 26 to determine whether the seconduser 16 b is licensed to share at least a portion of the requested mediacontent asset 22 c. The processor circuit 26 determines in step 84whether the corresponding user entry 24 for the user 16 b includes anydigital rights metadata 34 that enables the processor circuit 26 todetermine whether the user 16 b is licensed to share any portion of therequested media content asset 22 c. Assuming in step 84 that the digitalrights metadata 34 for the user 16 b did not include the license token56 for the requested video stream 22 c, the processor circuit isconfigured for sending in step 86 a message to the first user 16 a (andoptionally the second user 16 b) specifying that the second user 16 b isnot authorized to share the requested video content asset “V3” 22 c.

If in step 80 for the processor circuit 26 determines that the userentry 24 for the second user 16 b includes digital rights metadata 34for the requested media content asset 22 c, the processor circuit 26fetches in step 88 the licensing information 56 or 58, as appropriate.Assuming the licensing information is implemented as a data structure(e.g., a license token) 56, the processor circuit 26 can parse the datastructure 56, illustrated in FIG. 4, to determine in step 88 whether thesecond user 16 b is licensed to share the requested media content asset“V3” 22 c. Assuming the licensing information is implemented as alicense URL 58, the processor circuit 26 can send a query to the contentprovider server 36 having the licensing authority over the requestedmedia content asset 22 c to determine whether the second user 16 b isauthorized to share the identified media content asset 22 c.

Assuming the processor circuit 26 determines in step 88 that the user 16b is authorized to share the requested media content asset 22 c, theprocessor circuit 26 determines in step 90 whether digital rightsmetadata 34 specifies that the user 16 b has authorized the requestinguser 16 a to access the requested media content asset 22 c. If theprocessor circuit 26 determines in step 90 that the digital rightsmetadata 34 specifies an identifier 46 that identifies the user 16 a isauthorized to access the requested media content asset 22 c (e.g., asillustrated by the media content asset 22 a authorizing access by theuser 16 a), the processor circuit 26 can present the requested mediacontent asset in step 96.

If the processor circuit 26 determines in step 90 that the digitalrights metadata 34 does not identify the first user 16 a as authorizedto access the requested media content asset 22 c, the processor circuit26 determines in step 92 whether the request 14 from the user 16 aincludes a license token 56 from the user 16 b. Hence, the user 16 b cansend a license token 56 to the user 16 a, for example in the form of aninvitation (e.g., a “guest pass” valid only for a prescribed timeinterval) to view the media content asset, eliminating the necessitythat the user 16 a is specified in the digital rights metadata 34. Alsonote that the user 16 b can create his or her own licensing tokens for amedia content asset that is created by the user 16 b and for which theuser 16 b owns full authority for distributing the media content asset.

If the processor circuit 26 determines in step 92 that the request 14from the requesting user 16 a does not include a license token issued bythe user 16 b, the processor circuit 26 can determine that the user 16 ais not authorized to access the requested media content asset 22 c. Inresponse to determining the user 16 a is not authorized to access themedia content asset 22 c from the user 16 b, the processor circuit 26can present in step 100 a purchase portal to the user 16 a forpurchasing access to the media content asset 22 c. Also note that thepurchase portal can be presented by the processor circuit 26 if the user16 b is not authorized to share the requested media content asset 22 c.The purchase portal presented in step 100 by the processor circuit 26also can present a referral identifier that identifies the second user16 b as recommending the purchase of the requested media content asset22 c. Hence, if in step 102 the network interface circuit 28 receives apurchase request to purchase access to the media content asset 22 c withthe referral identifier from the user 16 a, the processor circuit 26 cansend in step 104 a purchase request for the media content asset 22 c bythe user 16 a, as well as the referral identifier that identifies thesecond user 16 b, to the content provider server 36.

In response to the network interface circuit 28 receiving in step 106 aconfirmation message from the content provider 36 specifying that thefirst user 16 a is licensed to access the media content asset 22 c, theprocessor circuit 26 updates in step 106 the corresponding user entry 24of the user 16 a (and/or optionally the user entry 24 of the referringuser 16 b) to specify that the first user 16 a is authorized to accessthe media content asset 22 c. Hence, the media content asset 22 c of theuser 16 b can be shared with the user 16 a, while preserving theintegrity of licensing and copyright requirements imposed by the contentprovider 36. If in step 108 the confirmation message for the user 16 aincludes a referral identifier specifying a prescribed number ofreferral credits for the referring user 16 b, the processor circuit 26can update in step 110 the user entry 24 of the referring user 16 b byadding the referral credits specified in the confirmation message to theexisting available referral credits 48 stored in the user entry 24.

According to the example embodiments, users of a web-based service canshare media content assets based on digital rights metadata, stored forat least one of the users, that identify authorization and licensingrights that are granted for sharing the media content assets.

The disclosed web server device 12 also can selectively provide mediacontent assets between users based on the users 16 a and 16 bparticipating in an auction hosted by the web-based service executed bythe web server device 12. As illustrated in FIG. 3C, assume that theuser 16 b is hosting an auction for access to the media content asset“V2” 22 b: the user entry 24 will include the appropriate metadata (notshown) describing the parameters of the option, for example auctionidentifier, auction start and ending time, minimum bid, itemdescription, highest bidder identifier and highest bid amount, etc.

In response to the processor circuit 26 of the web server device 12determining in step 120 that the user 16 a has won the auction for theaccess to the media content asset 22 b offered by the user 16 b, theprocessor circuit 26 can retrieve in step 122 the digital rightsmetadata 34 to verify that the user 16 b is licensed to share theauctioned media content asset 22 b. If the processor circuit 26determines that the user 16 b is not licensed to share the auctionedmedia content asset 22 b, the processor circuit 26 notifies both thewinning user 16 a and the auction host 16 b in step 124, providing theusers 16 a and 16 b an opportunity to resolve the licensing and auctionissues. Assuming the processor circuit 26 determines in step 122 thatthe user 16 b is licensed to share the auctioned media content asset 22b, the processor circuit 26 sends in step 126 a notification to the user16 a that he or she has won the auction for the media content asset “V2”22 b hosted by the user 16 b: the notification includes a reference toan auction identifier, enabling subsequent requests from the user 16 ato be associated by the processor circuit 26 to the auction hosted bythe user 16 b.

In response to the network interface circuit 20 receiving in step 128the request 14 for access to the media content asset 22 b and specifyingthe reference to the auction identifier, the processor circuit 26 canpresent in step 130 a purchase portal to the user 16 a, enabling theuser 16 a to purchase the access to the media content asset 22 b. Inresponse to the network interface circuit 28 receiving in step 132 thepurchase request from the user 16 a with the auction identifier for theauctioned media content asset 22 b, the processor circuit 26 sends instep 134 a purchase request for the option media content asset 22 b,along with the auction identifier, to the content provider 36 forcompletion of the licensing transaction. The processor circuit 26updates in step 136 the user entry 24 for the user 16 a (and/or the user16 b) to specify that the user 16 a is authorized to access the mediacontent asset 22 b in response to the network interface circuit 20receiving a confirmation message from the content provider 36 licensingthe media content asset 22 b to the user 16 a. The foregoing auctionalso can be utilized to enable the user 16 b (“seller”) to sell his orher digital rights for a media content asset to a user 16 a (“buyer”),such that the seller no longer has any rights to consume or share themedia content asset after completion of the sale.

According to example embodiments, users of a web-based service executedby an apparatus can share media content assets while maintaining theintegrity of copyright restrictions required by authorized licensingauthorities. Further, any web-enabled device 18 can be used by a userfor sharing media content assets.

While the example embodiments in the present disclosure have beendescribed in connection with what is presently considered to be the bestmode for carrying out the subject matter specified in the appendedclaims, it is to be understood that the example embodiments are onlyillustrative, and are not to restrict the subject matter specified inthe appended claims.

1. A method comprising: receiving a request for access to a mediacontent asset from a first user of a web-based service, the requestspecifying a second user identified as a user of the web-based serviceand that has provided access to the media content asset; retrievingdigital rights metadata associated with the media content asset; andselectively providing the first user with access to at least a portionof the media content asset based on determining from the digital rightsmetadata that the first user is authorized to access at least theportion of the media content asset from the second user.
 2. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: receiving the digital rights metadataidentifying that the second user is authorized to share at least themedia content asset requested by the first user; and storing the digitalrights metadata into a corresponding user entry of the second user. 3.The method of claim 2, wherein the digital rights metadata includes atleast one of a data structure issued by a content provider havinglicensing authority over the media content asset and indicating that thesecond user is authorized to share the media content asset, or areference to the content provider enabling the apparatus to querywhether the second user is authorized to share the media content asset.4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving from a contentprovider having licensing authority over the media content asset, amessage specifying the digital rights metadata indicating that thesecond user is licensed to share at least the portion of the mediacontent asset; and storing the digital rights metadata received from thecontent provider into a user entry of the second user.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising presenting to the first user a purchaseportal for purchasing access to the media content asset based ondetermining from the digital rights metadata at least one of the seconduser is not licensed to share the at least the portion of the mediacontent asset, or that the first user is not authorized to access themedia content asset licensed to the second user.
 6. The method of claim5, further comprising: detecting the first user has won an auctionoffered by the second user for access to the media content asset; andsending a notification, in response to the first user having won theauction, for the first user to initiate the request, the requestincluding a reference to the auction that enables the portal for paymentof the auction by the first user.
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving from the first user a purchase request for themedia content asset, and in response sending the purchase request to acontent provider having licensing authority over the media contentasset; and updating a user database to specify the first user isauthorized to access the media content asset, in response to aconfirmation message from the content provider specifying that the firstuser is licensed to access the media content asset.
 8. (canceled)
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the selectively providing includes at leastone of: determining the digital rights metadata identifies the firstuser as authorized by the second user to access the media content asset;or determining from the request a data structure identifying the seconduser has authorized the first user to access the media content asset.10. (canceled)
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital rightsmetadata limits access to the media content asset based on at least oneof accessing the media content asset for a limited time interval,accessing only a selected portion of the media content asset, accessingonly a summary presentation of the media content asset, or accessing themedia content asset according to a limited presentation quality lessthan an available presentation quality.
 12. An apparatus comprising: anetwork interface circuit configured for receiving, from a user device,a request for access to a media content asset from a first user of aweb-based service, the request specifying a second user identified as auser of the web-based service and that has provided access to the mediacontent asset; and a processor circuit configured for retrieving digitalrights metadata associated with the media content asset, the processorcircuit further configured for selectively providing the first user withaccess to at least a portion of the media content asset, based on theprocessor circuit determining from the digital rights metadata that thefirst user is authorized to access at least the portion of the mediacontent asset from the second user.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12,wherein: the network interface circuit is configured for receiving thedigital rights metadata identifying that the second user is authorizedto share at least the media content asset requested by the first user;the processor circuit configured for storing the digital rights metadatainto a corresponding user entry of the second user.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 13, wherein the digital rights metadata includes at least one of adata structure issued by a content provider having licensing authorityover the media content asset and indicating that the second user isauthorized to share the media content asset, or a reference to thecontent provider enabling the processor circuit to query whether thesecond user is authorized to share the media content asset.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 12, wherein: the network interface circuit isconfigured for receiving, from a content provider having licensingauthority over the media content asset, a message specifying the digitalrights metadata indicating that the second user is licensed to share atleast the portion of the media content asset; the processor circuitconfigured for storing the digital rights metadata received from thecontent provider into a user entry of the second user.
 16. The apparatusof claim 12, wherein the processor circuit is configured for presentingto the first user a purchase portal for purchasing access to the mediacontent asset based on the processor circuit determining from thedigital rights metadata at least one of the second user is not licensedto share the at least the portion of the media content asset, or thatthe first user is not authorized to access the media content assetlicensed to the second user.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein: theprocessor circuit is configured for detecting the first user has won anauction offered by the second user for access to the media contentasset; and the processor circuit is configured for sending anotification, in response to the first user having won the auction, forthe first user to initiate the request, the request including areference to the auction that enables the processor circuit to presentthe purchase portal for payment of the auction by the first user. 18.The apparatus of claim 12, wherein: the network interface circuit isconfigured for receiving from the first user a purchase request for themedia content asset, the processor circuit configured for sending thepurchase request to a content provider having licensing authority overthe media content asset; the processor circuit further configured forupdating a user database specify the first user is authorized to accessthe media content asset, in response to the network interface circuitreceiving a confirmation message from the content provider specifyingthat the first user is licensed to access the media content asset. 19.(canceled)
 20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein: the processor circuitis configured for determining whether the digital rights metadataidentifies the first user as authorized by the second user to access themedia content asset; or the processor circuit is configured fordetermining from the request a data structure identifying the seconduser has authorized the first user to access the media content asset.21. (canceled)
 22. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the digital rightsmetadata limits access to the media content asset based on at least oneof accessing the media content asset for a limited time interval,accessing only a selected portion of the media content asset, accessingonly a summary presentation of the media content asset, or accessing themedia content asset according to a limited presentation quality lessthan an available presentation quality.
 23. Logic encoded in one or moretangible media for execution and when executed when executed by anapparatus operable for: receiving a request for access to a mediacontent asset from a first user of a web-based service, the requestspecifying a second user identified as a user of the web-based serviceand that has provided access to the media content asset; retrievingdigital rights metadata associated with the media content asset; andselectively providing the first user with access to at least a portionof the media content asset based on determining from the digital rightsmetadata that the first user is authorized to access the media contentasset from the second user.
 24. (canceled)